The episode underlines Russia's continuing role as a regional power-broker.

ECONOMIST: Russia��s south

Regional specialists believe that Tanzania's reputation as an honest broker and as a strictly neutral party in the conflicts afflicting its neighbours would be damaged by Tanzanian soldiers serving as mercenaries for forces outside the country.

BBC: Tanzanian MP denies dogs of war report

The regional club, the Association of South-East Asian Nations, had been trying to broker a settlement between Mr Hun Sen and Prince Ranariddh.

ECONOMIST: Cambodia